The 601 member National Assembly meets, in full session, twice a year at the Palacio de las Convenciones (Congress Centre) in Havana. Delegates are, however, active all year round on temporary or permanent working commissions whose job is to prepare legislation and carry out other functions of the National Assembly. This is in addition to the delegate's duties in their regular workplace which they must also continue to fulfill. With the exception of a small number of full-time positions, delegates receive no extra pay or privileges as a result of their position. (The same is true of the Municipal and Provincial Assemblies.)
When the National Assembly is not in session, it is represented by the 31-member Council of State. The Council of State is elected by the National Assembly from its own membership and is accountable to the National Assembly. It meets at the Palace of the Revolution in Havana.
Does the National Assembly have any real power? For the answer to this, you have only to look at the election results in 1998. A solid 93% of eligible voters voted the so-called united vote -- an overwhelming vote of confidence in the electoral process and the Revolution itself.
What were the results of the 1998 National Elections?